Emery Town discusses new fire station plans

Emery Town council members Corrine Dalton and Gary Jensen participate in discussion on town business.

By PATSY STODDARDEditor

Emery Town Council met in their November meeting. The council had previously approved the cell tower land transaction, but discussed it again. Along with the cell tower discussion was the question of whether Emery wants to accept the grant and loan from the CIB for the new fire station. The CIB is offering the town $1.4 million in grant and $450,000 in loan for the project.

This would obligate the town to a $1,200 a month payment. In six years the sewer bond will be paid off and that money could be transferred to the new loan.

The CIB loan is for 30 years and is interest free. Emery is being offered a good deal, because most fire station loans/grants are 50/50.

Mayor Mistie Christiansen said it must be a community decision to obligate the town to pay off a new fire station. Anyone with comment should contact the city and make their opinions known. The council will vote on the issue in the December meeting.

There was also a question if the town had to use Jones and DeMille to prepare the bid package.

Emery Town voted to approve the adoption of the resolution of mileage reimbursement at the federal rate of 58.5 cents per mile.

The council approved the secondary water ordinance. This needs to be in place before funding can be applied for the desiltation project being planned for Emery.

The matter of an overdue utility bill was discussed. There is apparently a waterline leak. Councilmember Patrick Sundstrom will go to the renters to see what he can do to help get it fixed.

The council had previously approved the cell tower land transaction, but discussed it again. Along with the cell tower discussion was the question of whether Emery wants to accept the grant and loan from the CIB for the new fire station. The CIB is offering the town $1.4 million in grant and $450,000 in loan for the project.

This would obligate the town to a $1,200 a month payment. In six years the sewer bond will be paid off and that money could be transferred to the new loan.

The CIB loan is for 30 years and is interest free. Emery is being offered a good deal, because most fire station loans/grants are 50/50.

Mayor Mistie Christiansen said it must be a community decision to obligate the town to pay off a new fire station. Anyone with comment should contact the city and make their opinions known. The council will vote on the issue in the December meeting.

There was also a question if the town had to use Jones and DeMille to prepare the bid package.

The council talked about adding names to the existing Veteran's monument in the Emery park. A quote of $1837.35 was submitted for additional names on the plaque.

The council discussed the Emery Telcom Franchise fee ordinance. Emery Telcom did make the changes to the document that Emery had requested, but would not change the length of the contract from 30 to 15 years. The council approved the contract.

Emery is having a problem with the dumpster site. The roll off dumpster was moved, but the smaller ones are full and the decision was made to have a roll-off brought back to solve the problem. Council member Eric Anderson said they should also look at fencing the area, so garbage doesn't blow around.

The mayor called for the council member reports. Corrine Dalton said they are still working on the zoning changes as recommended by the planning and zoning commission and the Association of Governments changes. A public hearing on these changes will be held next month at council meeting.

Gary Jensen said they had received a letter from the Utah Department of Transportation that they were going to add a passing lane up the Dugway. They requested any information the town has on historical sites in the area. Jensen said they should be aware of the rock on the hill about 150 feet off the road with the bear claw on it. It should be saved.

(Since this meeting, UDOT has since put the project on hold)

Sundstrom reported that they bought Ken Christiansen a new truck and the old truck with the dump bed is now for sale. The council will accept sealed bids with a $2,000 minimum on the truck and the bids will be opened at the next meeting.

Eric Anderson reported the time period for any annexations will be closing soon and there is a five year waiting period. He reported the Castle Valley Special Service District has had to cut many jobs in half due to increased costs. He said that per capita Emery does very well in project money.